I Am Trying to Break Your Heart

I am an American aquarium drinker
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hiding out in the big city blinking
what was I thinking when I let go of you

let's forget about the tongue-tied lightning
let's undress just like cross-eyed strangers
this is not a joke so please stop smiling
what was I thinking when I said it didn't hurt

I want to glide through those brown eyes dreaming
take you from the inside (baby) hold on tight
you were so right when you said I've been drinking
what was I thinking when we said good night

I want to hold you in the bible black predawn
you're quite a quiet domino bury me now
take off your band aid cuz I don't believe in
touchdowns
what was I thinking when we said hello

I always thought that if I held you tightly
you would always love me like you did back then
then I fell asleep in the city kept blinking
what was I thinking when I let you back in

I am trying to break your heart
I am trying to break your heart
but still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy
I am trying to break your heart

disposable dixie cup drinker
I assassin down the avenue
I've been hiding out in the big city blinking
what was I thinking when I let go of you

War On War

it's a war on war
it's a war on war
it's a war on war
it's a war on war
it's a war on war
it's a war on war
it's a war on war
there's a war on
you’re gonna lose
you have to lose
you have to learn how to die

let's watch the miles flying by
let's watch the miles flying by
you are not my typewriter
but you could be my demon
moving forward through flaming doors
you have to lose
you have to learn how to die
if you wanna wanna be alive

o.k.

you have to lose
you have to lose
you have to learn how to die
if you wanna wanna be alive

you have to die
you have to die
you have to learn how to die
if you wanna wanna be alive

She's a Jar

She's a jar
With a heavy lid
My pop quiz kid
A sleepy kisser
A pretty war
With feelings hid
She begs me not to miss her

She says forever
To light a fuse
We could use
A hand full of wheel
And a day off
On a bruised road
However you might feel
Tonight is real

When I forget how to talk I sing
Won't you please
Bring that flash to shine
And turn my eyes red
Unless they close
When you click
And my face gets sick
Stuck
Like a question unposed

Just climb aboard
The tracks of a train's arm
In my fragile family tree
And watch me floating inches above
The people underneath

Please beware the quiet front yard
I warned you
Before there were water skies
I warned you not to drive
Dry your eyes you poor devil

Are there really ones like these
The ones I dream
Float like leaves
And freeze to spread skeleton wings
I passed through before I knew you

I believe it's just because
Daddy's payday is not enough
Oh I believe it's all because
Daddy's payday is not enough

Just climb aboard
The tracks of a train's arm
In my fragile family tree
And watch me floating inches above
The people under me

She's a jar
With a heavy lid
My pop quiz kid
A sleepy kisser
A pretty war
With feelings hid
She begs me not to hit her

Kamera

I need a camera to my eye
to my eye reminding
which lies have I been hiding
which echoes belong

I've counted out days
to see how far
I've driven in the dark
w/echoes in my heart
phone my family tell them I'm lost on the
sidewalk

no it's not o.k.

I smashed a camera
I wanna know why
to my eye deciding
which lies have I been hiding
which echoes belong
I'm counting on
a heart I know by heart
to walk me through this war
memories distort
phone my family tell them I'm lost on the
sidewalk

no it's not o.k.

I'm counted out
and no one knows how far
I've driven in the dark
w/echoes in my heart
phone my family tell them I’m lost (yeah I’m
lost)

no it's not o.k.

Radio Cure

cheer up
honey I hope you can
there is something wrong with me
my mind is filled with silvery stuff
honey kisses clouds of fluff
shoulders shrugging off

cheer up
honey I hope you can
there is something wrong with me
my mind is filled with radio cures
electronic surgical words

picking apples for the kings and queens of things I've
never seen
distance has no way of making love
understandable

cheer up
honey I hope you can
there is something wrong with me
my mind is filled with silvery stars
honey kisses clouds of love

picking apples for the kings and queens of things I've
never seen
distance has no way of making love
understandable
distance has no way of making love
understandable

cheer up
honey I hope you can

A Shot in the Arm

The ashtray says You were up all night When you went to bed With your darkest mind Your pillow wept And covered your eyes You finally slept While the sun caught fire

You've changed

We fell in love In the key of C We walked along Down by the sea You followed me down The neck to D And fell again Into the sea You changed Oh, you've changed

Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm Something in my veins

Bloodier than blood Bloodier than blood Bloodier than blood Bloodier than blood

The ashtray says You were up all night When you went to bed With your darkest mind You changed You've changed

Ashes of American Flags

the cash machine
is blue and green
for a hundred in twenties
and a small service fee
I could spend three dollars
and sixty-three cents
on diet coca-cola
and unlit cigarettes

I wonder why
we listen to poets
when nobody gives a fuck
how hot and sorrowful
this machine begs for luck
all my lies are always wishes

I know I would die
if I could come back new

I want a good life
with a nose for things
a fresh wind and bright sky
to enjoy my suffering
a hole without a key
if I break my tongue
speaking of tomorrow
how will it ever come
all my lies are always wishes

I know I would die
if I could come back new

I'm down on my hands and knees
every time the doorbell rings
I shake like a toothache
when I hear myself sing
all my lies are only wishes

I know I would die
if I could come back new

I would like to salute
the ashes of American flags
and all the falling leaves
filling up shopping bags

Jesus, Etc.

Jesus, don't cry
you can rely on me honey
you can combine anything you want
I'll be around
you were right about the stars
each one is a setting sun

I'm tied in a knot
but I'm not
gonna get caught
calling a pot kettle black
every song's a comeback
every moment's a little bit later

lazy locomotives
wherever you may roll
I think you have no motive
I know you have no home

It's become so obvious
you are so oblivious to yourself

I'm tied in a knot
but I'm not
gonna get caught
calling a pot kettle black
every song's a comeback
every moment's a little bit later

Not For The Season

I'm the Man Who Loves You

all I can see
is black and white
and white and pink
with blades of blue
that lay between
the words I think
on a page
I was meaning
to send to you
I couldn't tell
if it would
bring my heart
the way I wanted
when I started
writing this letter to you
but if I could
you know I would
just hold your hand
and you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you

all I can be
is a busy sea
of spinning wheels
and hands that feel
for stones to throw
and feet that run
but come back home
it makes no difference
ever known
makes no difference
ever known to me
but if I could
you know I would
just hold your hand
and you'd understand
I'm the man who loves you

Reservations

how can I convince you it's me I don't like
not be so indifferent to the look in your eyes
when I've always been distant
and I've always told lies
for love

I'm bound by these choices so hard to
make
I'm bound by the feeling so easy to fake
none of this is real
enough to take me
from you

O I've got reservations
about
so many things
but
not about you

I know this isn't what you were wanting me
to say
how can I get closer and be further away
from the truth
that proves it's beautiful
to lie

I've got reservations
about
so many things
but
not about you
I…reservations
about
so many things
but
not about you